After my tough straight pool loss...
A few weeks later, I play the top player in my division I just assumed he would win so I had no pressure or expectations. I fouled early in the set and he asked how to score it. I thought to myself, "self, if he is the top player, why doesn't he know this? Is he pretending?" Turns out he asked about it a few more times and so I knew he really wasn't sure. He missed more than I expected him to and I found myself on a good run and after a miss, I hear the wonderful words from my opponent, "good run."
I looked down at the score sheet and saw I had just beaten my high run by two! I was so elated! Poor guy, losing to a girl and now she's all giddy about getting her new high run, lol! He was a great sport about it and he was genuinely happy for me. After that, we laughed and joked a lot during the match; it turned out to be a very fun match! You never know how matches will go with people you have never met before, so this one was a nice surprise. He made me laugh a lot and I felt comfortable to be myself and therefore let my personality out more.
Or course, after the new high run I wasn't able to focus too much. I was up by 20 at that point but safes, fouls, and missed shots due to lack of concentration and being happy about my new high run led to many innings with no additions to my score, lol. I finally was able to get back into the game and was ahead by 30 toward the end. It took me a while to make the last few remaining balls due to no shots available but I won 100-76.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tough Straight Lesson
I had 4 straight pool matches left. I figured I might lose 1, win 3.
On this one night, I thought I was going to win. I went in thinking of my opponents' stats, remembering he hasn't won as many as I, so of course I was a little over confident. Instead, he played jam up! I found myself down in the match, as I sat there and saw him runs balls and play mean safeties. I was down 56 to 28. :(
I bet I looked like a deer in the headlights. I was stunned.
I told myself (finally) to just simply focus when I would get to the table. A few more innings at the table and I found myself on a 10-ball run and then a 13-ball run, then 7 and 5 and caught up to the 30-ball deficit! He had 53 and I had 61. He wasn't happy and I was surprised, lol. Toward the end of our race to 100 however, I am down again 79 to 67 then 85 to 72. I snuck closer being down only 87 to 78 then only 91 to 86. At this point, I find myself at the table. I see that I can run a few balls and I do, but also see I a great opportunity for a break-out shot! My instincts tell me how many balls I need - I need another rack to get to 100 - even tho there are 3 ducks waiting for me. However, I go for the break-out shot and DOG IT!
I gain a HUGE learning experience at the expense of losing. :( Because.... after I sorely missed the break out shot, it donned on me as I climbed slowly, deflated, onto the cold, hard stool that I could have made those ducks and then played safe - then there would not be enough balls on the table for him to make 100 and we would have had to shoot another rack anyway. I was SO embarrassed how bad I missed the break-out but more so disappointed I didn't see this!! Going for the break-out would have been right if wasn't the end of the game. Being aware of their score at the end of the game is crucial. It was a very tough loss for me - I should have won. I even had another chance but it was a tough shot for me and I missed. :(
So, this added another damn loss to my stats that I wasn't expecting. UGH!!!
I lost 100-89. :(
On this one night, I thought I was going to win. I went in thinking of my opponents' stats, remembering he hasn't won as many as I, so of course I was a little over confident. Instead, he played jam up! I found myself down in the match, as I sat there and saw him runs balls and play mean safeties. I was down 56 to 28. :(
I bet I looked like a deer in the headlights. I was stunned.
I told myself (finally) to just simply focus when I would get to the table. A few more innings at the table and I found myself on a 10-ball run and then a 13-ball run, then 7 and 5 and caught up to the 30-ball deficit! He had 53 and I had 61. He wasn't happy and I was surprised, lol. Toward the end of our race to 100 however, I am down again 79 to 67 then 85 to 72. I snuck closer being down only 87 to 78 then only 91 to 86. At this point, I find myself at the table. I see that I can run a few balls and I do, but also see I a great opportunity for a break-out shot! My instincts tell me how many balls I need - I need another rack to get to 100 - even tho there are 3 ducks waiting for me. However, I go for the break-out shot and DOG IT!
I gain a HUGE learning experience at the expense of losing. :( Because.... after I sorely missed the break out shot, it donned on me as I climbed slowly, deflated, onto the cold, hard stool that I could have made those ducks and then played safe - then there would not be enough balls on the table for him to make 100 and we would have had to shoot another rack anyway. I was SO embarrassed how bad I missed the break-out but more so disappointed I didn't see this!! Going for the break-out would have been right if wasn't the end of the game. Being aware of their score at the end of the game is crucial. It was a very tough loss for me - I should have won. I even had another chance but it was a tough shot for me and I missed. :(
So, this added another damn loss to my stats that I wasn't expecting. UGH!!!
I lost 100-89. :(
Houston Open 2009
I hadn't been to the famous Houston Open in several years for various reasons - mainly because the women's event is only played on Sunday and the pool room is 5-6 hours from my house so I turn into a big baby about the long drive. I don't mind going to Legend's Billiards in League City for two-day women's tourneys, but the one-day tourneys on a Sunday that are far from my house can be tough for those that have to be at work early Monday. This year I happened to take of on Monday for my Mother's/Daughter weekend that we had to postpone, so I slyly just kept the day off and went down to the Open. :)
I am very glad I went, too. It was a very fun weekend. I started off by driving down with Zaid who needed a road partner on the way down. Ironically, my friend Viet My needed a road partner on the way back so it was perfect.
Me, driving
Zaid, always on the phone
My lap - Mickey D's for lunch! (safety hazard, I know)
Even more perfect was that the hotel was right behind the pool room so I didn't need a car all weekend. Furthermore, several restaurants were within walking distance but that wasn't necessary anyway though as it is secretly known that Legend's Billiards has the BEST pizza's! As a matter of fact, after dropping Zaid off in North Houston, fighting traffic in his car (he would pick it up Saturday) to drive to South Houston, and then checking in to the hotel, my first order of business was to immediately get my arse to the pool room to grab a drink with Shayla and order a pizza! Ahh.... Good times!
Eventually, Yvette, Barbara, Frank, and Grady showed up to join us. Shayla was hitting balls most of the evening but in the middle of some down time, I grabbed her cue and hit some balls. She has an OB Cue with an OB-2 shaft. I immediately fell in love with it and wished I had one to play with that weekend! Many drinks later, watching the one pocket action in the middle room, and after some fun pics, it was time to walk my arse back to the hotel to rest my weary eyes. I ran into many friends who showed up at Legend's Friday night to ensure they signed up for the big tournament and it was fun to just hang out.
Shayla, Me and Yvette
Me and Frank Jr - sometimes the blurry photos are the
funniest! Like this one! LOL
Here is the non blurry version:
On Saturday, the first thing I did when arriving at the pool room was to order another pizza. :) I mostly vegged, watched the men's event, caught up with a lot of friends, and watched gambling into the night. It meant so much that so many people asked how my Mom was doing. I was able to spend quality time with the author Carl Miller, Belinda Lee from Houston, Dennis and Lanney, and Bill Tippit who was a great friend to the late Dan Freeman. I also ran into the ever-friendly Sarah Rousey who actually had her eyes open for this pic!
Sarah Rousey and I
Sunday morning I was super exhausted, but nothing a GREAT pizza from Legend's couldn't help with! Viet and I bought together a few of the lady players in the auction and then they called my non-bye first match. I would play my dear friend, future teammate, and co-commentator, Ash (Ashley). We were on the table that everyone had to walk by but it didn't bother either of us. I was freezing though as it was super cold - I was afraid I was going to turn into a popsicle! - but was able to ask someone to get my sweater so I was able to warm up during the match thankfully. I didn't know how I was staying down (b/c I was so tired) but I was able to for some reason. I am not sure how I won, because she was playing well but I was able to get out a few times and was ahead. While on the hill, I had about three chances to win and didn't close out the match. She said something about that to me but I already knew it - it was pretty obvious I should have won that game, lol. I also knew that wouldn't happen the next game - 'I would persevere,' I told myself. lol. And I did. I think 7-4 or 7-5.
My straight pool coach texted me and reminded me to stay down and so that was a nice surprise to hear some positive thoughts from him - I didn't get the message until after that match so I carried it with me to my next opponent.
I then had to play the ever formidable player Michelle Ram. She made a few mistakes in the beginning and I was able to capitalize while I waw also playing well. I was ahead 5-3 and she took a break. When she came back, the tides turned and I lost focus at the same time. I didn't shoot an 8 hard enough and missed shape on the 9, then missed the 9. She got that game and also started to play better. I didn't make a couple tough 9s she left me and she came back to beat me 7-5. I know that felt good for her and was glad she started to play better.
I then played Kim Pierce next. The one-loss side is a race to 5 so it can be over rather quickly if one isn't paying attention... which I found myself in that exact situation! I was down 3-1 then 4-2 and told myself, "This is the Houston Open, wake up and focus, Melinda." I then beared down and started to stay down better and I won the set 5-4! I was shocked! Then I played Michelle Abernathy who wasn't playing her game well - she said afterwards she is in a rut, which means when she comes out of it, she will be playing even better - can't wait to see. I think I won 5-2.
I then played Terry Petrosino next. It was on the same table as when I had played Kim earlier and ironically, I went through the same non-focus in the beginning of the match and had to bear down from down 4-2 (again) to start to play well. I did start to play better and I tied it up 4-4 and I felt great. I had a chance to safety Terry with ball-in-hand but instead, the tricky shot led to a straight-in shot, not a safety. Opps. Eeek! Can't do that against Terry. She ran out beautifully that rack. She is a great player with excellent fundamentals. She would go on to get 2nd place!
I placed 9th and was very pleasantly surprised to get an envelope with money in it from the awesome tournament director, Mindy! I got $30 and appreciate the Houston Open even more because they pay deep for the women.
Mindy and Ted put on such a great tournament. I hope to return next year. Of course, I will be at Legend's in November for the OB Ladies Tour stop, too. Can't wait to hug Mindy and have pizza's!
Tournament One-word Description: Surprised
I am very glad I went, too. It was a very fun weekend. I started off by driving down with Zaid who needed a road partner on the way down. Ironically, my friend Viet My needed a road partner on the way back so it was perfect.
Me, driving
Zaid, always on the phone
My lap - Mickey D's for lunch! (safety hazard, I know)Even more perfect was that the hotel was right behind the pool room so I didn't need a car all weekend. Furthermore, several restaurants were within walking distance but that wasn't necessary anyway though as it is secretly known that Legend's Billiards has the BEST pizza's! As a matter of fact, after dropping Zaid off in North Houston, fighting traffic in his car (he would pick it up Saturday) to drive to South Houston, and then checking in to the hotel, my first order of business was to immediately get my arse to the pool room to grab a drink with Shayla and order a pizza! Ahh.... Good times!
Eventually, Yvette, Barbara, Frank, and Grady showed up to join us. Shayla was hitting balls most of the evening but in the middle of some down time, I grabbed her cue and hit some balls. She has an OB Cue with an OB-2 shaft. I immediately fell in love with it and wished I had one to play with that weekend! Many drinks later, watching the one pocket action in the middle room, and after some fun pics, it was time to walk my arse back to the hotel to rest my weary eyes. I ran into many friends who showed up at Legend's Friday night to ensure they signed up for the big tournament and it was fun to just hang out.
Shayla, Me and Yvette
Me and Frank Jr - sometimes the blurry photos are thefunniest! Like this one! LOL
Here is the non blurry version:
On Saturday, the first thing I did when arriving at the pool room was to order another pizza. :) I mostly vegged, watched the men's event, caught up with a lot of friends, and watched gambling into the night. It meant so much that so many people asked how my Mom was doing. I was able to spend quality time with the author Carl Miller, Belinda Lee from Houston, Dennis and Lanney, and Bill Tippit who was a great friend to the late Dan Freeman. I also ran into the ever-friendly Sarah Rousey who actually had her eyes open for this pic!
Sarah Rousey and ISunday morning I was super exhausted, but nothing a GREAT pizza from Legend's couldn't help with! Viet and I bought together a few of the lady players in the auction and then they called my non-bye first match. I would play my dear friend, future teammate, and co-commentator, Ash (Ashley). We were on the table that everyone had to walk by but it didn't bother either of us. I was freezing though as it was super cold - I was afraid I was going to turn into a popsicle! - but was able to ask someone to get my sweater so I was able to warm up during the match thankfully. I didn't know how I was staying down (b/c I was so tired) but I was able to for some reason. I am not sure how I won, because she was playing well but I was able to get out a few times and was ahead. While on the hill, I had about three chances to win and didn't close out the match. She said something about that to me but I already knew it - it was pretty obvious I should have won that game, lol. I also knew that wouldn't happen the next game - 'I would persevere,' I told myself. lol. And I did. I think 7-4 or 7-5.
My straight pool coach texted me and reminded me to stay down and so that was a nice surprise to hear some positive thoughts from him - I didn't get the message until after that match so I carried it with me to my next opponent.
I then had to play the ever formidable player Michelle Ram. She made a few mistakes in the beginning and I was able to capitalize while I waw also playing well. I was ahead 5-3 and she took a break. When she came back, the tides turned and I lost focus at the same time. I didn't shoot an 8 hard enough and missed shape on the 9, then missed the 9. She got that game and also started to play better. I didn't make a couple tough 9s she left me and she came back to beat me 7-5. I know that felt good for her and was glad she started to play better.
I then played Kim Pierce next. The one-loss side is a race to 5 so it can be over rather quickly if one isn't paying attention... which I found myself in that exact situation! I was down 3-1 then 4-2 and told myself, "This is the Houston Open, wake up and focus, Melinda." I then beared down and started to stay down better and I won the set 5-4! I was shocked! Then I played Michelle Abernathy who wasn't playing her game well - she said afterwards she is in a rut, which means when she comes out of it, she will be playing even better - can't wait to see. I think I won 5-2.
I then played Terry Petrosino next. It was on the same table as when I had played Kim earlier and ironically, I went through the same non-focus in the beginning of the match and had to bear down from down 4-2 (again) to start to play well. I did start to play better and I tied it up 4-4 and I felt great. I had a chance to safety Terry with ball-in-hand but instead, the tricky shot led to a straight-in shot, not a safety. Opps. Eeek! Can't do that against Terry. She ran out beautifully that rack. She is a great player with excellent fundamentals. She would go on to get 2nd place!
I placed 9th and was very pleasantly surprised to get an envelope with money in it from the awesome tournament director, Mindy! I got $30 and appreciate the Houston Open even more because they pay deep for the women.
Mindy and Ted put on such a great tournament. I hope to return next year. Of course, I will be at Legend's in November for the OB Ladies Tour stop, too. Can't wait to hug Mindy and have pizza's!
Tournament One-word Description: Surprised
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)